Baptsim with the Holy Spirit: Empowered for Life in the New Covenant

You were Baptized in the Spirit to be empowered for life in the New Covenant

Jesus said in

Acts 1:8 ESV

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Something very special happened at Pentecost. There was a transition between the Old Covenant and New Covenant.

In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit is given to a few.

In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit empowered a few people at a time for significant ministry. For example

Numbers 11:16–17 ESV

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” Numbers 11:16-17

But even Moses realized this filling of the Spirit was limited. he longed for a day when the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all God’s people.

When the Spirit fell on some of the elders who were not with Moses, Joshua saw it and told Moses to rebuke them.

Numbers 11:29 ESV

But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Numbers 11:29

As you read of life in the Old Testament, you realize the Spirit of God can be taken away just as it was given. Saul was given the Spirit for his kingly ministry over Israel. However, Saul disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. The consequence is seen in

1 Samuel 16:14 ESV

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the Lord tormented him. 1 Samuel 16:14

When David’s sin of adultery was revealed by the prophet Nathan, David prayed

Psalm 51:11 ESV

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:11

We see in the Old Testament, God filled people wit His Spirit to empower them for leadership and prophecy (Exodus 31:3; 35:31; Deut 34:9,Judges 14:6). But the Spirit was given sparingly and with lesser power. It was only given to the people of Israel and Satan’s dominion faced little resistance from God’s people. For example, you never read of the Old Testament prophets casting out demons. Also, in the Old Testament, the people of God looked froward to a New Covenant age when the Spirit of God would manifest itself in more powerfully over the all the earth.

The Lord said to Jeremiah

Jeremiah 31:31–33 ESV

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Jeremiah 31:31-33

The Lord promised to

Ezekiel 36:26–27 ESV

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:26-27

At Pentecost Peter preached from

Joel 2:28–29 ESV

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”Joel 2:28-29

One of the distinguishing marks of this transition is the power of the Holy Spirit given to all who call upon Jesus as Savior.

In the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit is given to all who trust in Jesus.

As the New testament arrives, we are introduced to John the Baptist who is the last of the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 11:11-14). John knew the New Covenant was on the horizon and he announced that the Messiah was coming. This Messiah was special.

Luke 3:16 ESV

“John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16

So, John was still living in the Old Testament looking forward to the New Covenant, and so were Jesus’ disciples. But Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Holy Spirit and the reach the Holy Spirit will have in the New Covenant. Jesus is baptized in the Spirit at his baptism (Luke 3:21-22). Then, after his temptation,

​Luke 4:14 ESV

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.” Luke 4:14

After His temptation, Jesus begins his ministry be exercising the power of the Holy Spirit by healing the lame and casting out demons with the authority of His word. And even though His disciples are born again and Jesus breathes His Spirit on them

​John 20:22 ESV

“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

they did not receive the full power of the Holy Spirit until the transition was complete. Jesus had to die on the cross, be raised from the dead, and ascend into heaven so that he could fulfill Joel 2:28-29.

At Pentecost, the disciples were no longer in the Old Covenant. They were now in the New Covenant and received greater power for their ministry and daily living.

Wayne Grudem says

“What Does “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” Mean in the New Testament?

They received this remarkable new empowering from the Holy Spirit because they were living at the time of the transition between the old covenant work of the Holy Spirit and the new covenant work of the Holy Spirit.” Wayne Grudem

The reason this is important to us is that the transition between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant explains why we don’t need to look at the “second experiences” in Acts as a pattern for the New Testament believer. We do not need to affirm ones faith by a second blessing. Yes the disciples were converted. Yes they had the Holy Spirit. Yes, they had something of a “second experience” at Pentecost. However, they were living in transition between the Old Covenant and New Covenant.

Again, Wayne Grudem is helpful here when he says

“What Does “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” Mean in the New Testament? Though it was a “second experience” of the Holy Spirit, coming as it did long after their conversion, it is not to be taken as a pattern for us, for we are not living at a time of transition in the work of the Holy Spirit. In their case, believers with an old covenant empowering from the Holy Spirit became believers with a new covenant empowering from the Holy Spirit. But we today do not first become believers with a weaker, old covenant work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and wait until some later time to receive a new covenant work of the Holy Spirit. Rather, we are in the same position as those who became Christians in the church at Corinth: when we become Christians we are all “baptized in one Spirit into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13)—just as the Corinthians were, and just as were the new believers in many churches who were converted when Paul traveled on his missionary journeys.” Wayne Grudem

At this point, you might ask a really good question about “second experiences.” in Acts, particularly with Philip. You may say,

Pastor Jason, what about Philip’s ministry to the Samaritans (Acts 8:4-25)? They believed his message and were baptized by Philip.

​Acts 8:12 ESV

“But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12

Philip had to have believed that their faith was genuine. And yet

​Acts 8:14–17 ESV

“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17

This is similar to Acts 19:1-7, when Paul found the Ephesian believers who had not received the Holy Spirit. Again, is this a second blessing, or a second experience of the Holy Spirit that our Pentecostal brothers and sisters say it is?

I would say yes and no. Again, keep in mind the transition from Old Covenant to New Covenant. I would contend that in the early church, as God’s kingdom was growing, there were multiple Pentecost experiences so to speak. What I mean is, God validated his work among new believers. Let me explain.

When we started Acts, I told you to memorize Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 is the framework of the book of Acts. It summarizes how the gospel advanced in antiquity.

​Acts 1:8 ESV

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The gospel came to Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. In Acts 8, Philip brought the gospel to Samaria. Then the gospel goes to the gentile world, or the ends of the earth, when it reaches Caesarea Acts 11:18. At each of these decisive points, people believe the message, but the Holy Spirit is given later. It’s like they are experiencing their own Pentecost. God validated His work as it moved through the framework of Act 1:8. First Jerusalem, then Samaria, then the ends of the earth.

Now that the Gentiles have the pouring out of the Spirit, there is no need to replicate it. The gospel is continuing to advance to the ends of the earth, and everyone who believes upon the Lord Jesus Christ is Baptized in His Spirit once and for all, and empowered to testify.

Spirit Empowered life in the New Covenant

At your conversion, you are Baptized in the Holy Spirit. You are given the power to testify of Jesus. You testify of Jesus with your mouth, by preaching the gospel. You are als testify of Jesus with your transformed life.

You are empowered with His Spirit to have victory over the influence of sin in your life.

Paul reminds you

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

and in

​Romans 8:13–14 ESV

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:13-14

You are empowered with His Spirit to have victory over Satan and his demonic cronies.

Paul says

​2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

and John follows that with this truth

​1 John 4:4 ESV

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

You are empowered with His Spirit to build up and encourage the church.

​1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

​1 Corinthians 14:12 ESV

“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12

Every Christian is empowered with God’s Spirit to live a life pleasing to Him, to fight against demonic powers and restore God’s kingdom from Satan’s hold, and to build up the body of Christ. You were baptized with His Spirit at conversion and given new life in Christ, and His Spirit now empowers you to live out your new life in the New Covenant.

What is the difference between being “filled with the Spirit” and being “Baptized in the Spirit?”

We have already seen that baptism of the Spirit happens at your conversion. It is a one time event that does not need t be replicated. Everyone who repents of their sin, accepts Jesus life, death, resurrection, and ascension as the only way to remove God’s wrath from their sinful soul by faith, receive His Spirit, i.e baptized in the Spirit.

The bible speaks of “being filled with the Spirit.” Paul says in

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit...” Ephesians 5:18

The phrase “be filled” is an imperative in the present tense. You could translate the verse “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.” This gives the idea that the filling can happen over and over in your life. Unlike the Baptism of the Spirit, which is a one time event, the filling of the Spirit can be a repeated event.

Paul continues to describe the fruit of being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit leads a a life of worship and gratitude

Ephesians 5:19–20 ESV

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Spirit filled heart seeks to right relationships in the church, community, and home; especially when dealing with authority (Ephesians 5:21-6:9). Reading through Ephesians 4-5, you realize its the Spirit that sanctifies you and helps you walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.

In Acts, we have seen a repeated filling of the Holy Spirit for ministry. In

Acts 2:4 ESV

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4

Later on, when Peter was standing before the Sanhedrin. he was filed withe the Spirit to preach the gospel (Acts 4:8 ). After he was rebuked for preaching the gospel. After being let go, he returned to the church and they had a time of prayer.

​Acts 4:31 ESV

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

All throughout Acts you see God’s people filled with the Spirit preaching with boldness, casting out demons, healing the sick, and even dying with courage as Stephen did in Acts 8.

God fills you with His Spirit to live life in the New Covenant. He circumcised your heart and gave you His Spirit so that you could obey His commands with a happy heart. He also gives measures of His Spirit for ministry. There will be times when God calls on you to preach with boldness or evangelize in a hostile environment, or step out in faith toward a new ministry that He is beginning in your life. He provides the power to do what he calls you to do.

Again, Grudem is helpful here.

“It is appropriate to understand filling with the Holy Spirit not as a one-time event but as an event that can occur over and over again in a Christian’s life. It may involve a momentary empowering for a specific ministry (such as apparently happened in Acts 4:8; 7:55), but it may also refer to a long-term characteristic of a person’s life (see Acts 6:3; 11:24).” Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Bible Doctrine. What Is “Being Filled with the Spirit”?

At your conversion, you were Baptized with the Spirit into the church. The Baptism of the Spirit is part of your regeneration, that is, being made alive in Christ Jesus. Once you are alive in Christ, you do not need to be made alive again and again.

Through the Baptism of His Spirit you are brought into the church, the family of God. God seals you with His Spirit and empowers you to live your new life in His New Covenant that is made with the blood of Jesus. The old is gone and the new has come. You are anew creation in Christ. You have been given a new heart that loves God and desires to obey his commands. he fills you with his Spirit to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and at times to empower you for greater ministry.